John A. Martin, a resident of Weymouth, Mass., has been elected to the Northeastern University Hall of Fame for his contributions to athletics as an administrator.
Martin has left permanent reminders of his service to Northeastern in over three decades at the University. As Vice President for Business since 1980, Martin has played a critical role in upgrading Northeastern's athletic facilities. Evidence of that work is all around campus, including the newly renovated Matthews Arena, which hosts the annual Hall of Fame ceremonies.
Martin's connection with Northeastern began as a student, and the 1965 graduate's loyalty has never wavered. Before ascending to his current position, Martin started making his mark as a senior instructor of accounting in the University College program and as an administrator with the Northeastern Credit Union. When he earned the title of Vice President nearly 20 years ago, it soon became clear that a friend of Northeastern Athletics would be holding one of the University's most influential offices. Since then Martin has overseen a slew of projects that have produced some of the most well-equipped facilities in the nation.
The Matthews Arena renovation is a perfect example of a project plan that Martin's efforts helped make a reality. The University recently completed a $1.6 million upgrade of the historic facility, expanding the ice surface and improving the lobby and locker room areas. The adjacent Varsity Club also received a facelift with the addition of the Mullin Viewing Suite, a luxury box overlooking the rink.
Every other Northeastern Athletics site has seen major changes in Martin's tenure as well. Parsons Field underwent a modernizing that included a new artificial playing surface, press box and baseball dugouts. The spectacular Henderson Boathouse, constructed at $2.5 million, created a prestigious home for Northeastern crew. Most recently, he helped guide the building of the Marino Center, a cutting-edge, $12 million recreational facility. The sum of the many Martin-led changes is that the University now has impressive venues for all its teams, facilities suitable for major events that have included the NCAA field hockey championship, New England track title meets and nationally televised ice shows.
Martin also has established himself as an ambassador of the University on several respected committees, including three terms as president of the Massachusetts Association of Non-Profit Schools and Colleges. He has been a consistent force in the community as well, serving on the board of directors for the Boston YMCA and the Fenway Alliance.
